Man City’s Set-Piece Masterclass Outshines Arsenal’s Dead Ball Threat
Arsenal fans hoping to question the legitimacy of Manchester City’s late winner against Wolves last week might find themselves with limited grounds. Their own recent tactics offer strong evidence supporting the call. Just last month, Arsenal executed a set-piece that cleverly obstructed City’s goalkeeper Ederson, a play deemed smart and well within the rules. It’s a testament to Arsenal’s savvy set-piece approach, largely credited to former City set-piece coach Nicolas Jover. For many, Jover is an unsung hero, hailed as perhaps the most influential coach in the league after the managers themselves.
Though Arsenal has a slight edge in set-piece goals this season, City has mastered the art on the other end—defensively. Bernardo Silva’s ingenuity at Molineux reflects City’s capability to innovate, despite not consistently outscoring Arsenal in this area. With City’s investment in towering players and defensive coach Carlos Vicens’ guidance, they’ve turned defending set-pieces from a past weakness into a cornerstone of their play.
The numbers speak volumes: City has conceded only one set-piece goal all season—a Gabriel header—and is bested only by set-piece specialists Brentford. In contrast, Arsenal has allowed four, including a critical Virgil Van Dijk header in their recent draw against Liverpool. Arsenal’s improvement under Jover is undeniable; their set-piece prowess is part of what’s made them a formidable challenger to City. Mikel Merino’s header from Declan Rice’s free-kick against Liverpool was a striking reminder of this threat.
However, City’s balanced approach, with a solid defense and adaptable attack, tips the scales in their favor. A recent team meeting reportedly helped City players fine-tune their attacking set-pieces, and since then, goals have followed—even if not every delivery has paid off. But beyond pushing forward, City’s strength lies in their discipline at the back. If they can keep their set-piece defensive record stronger than Arsenal’s, they have a clear advantage in countering Jover and Arteta’s tactics.
FAQ
- Why was City’s winner against Wolves controversial?
- Some questioned the legitimacy of Bernardo Silva’s role, but Arsenal’s similar tactics last month provided a precedent for creative (yet legal) obstruction in set-pieces.
- Who is Nicolas Jover, and why is he so significant for Arsenal?
- Jover is Arsenal’s set-piece coach, previously with City, and has been instrumental in elevating Arsenal’s threat from dead-ball situations. He’s viewed by some as the most valuable coach in the league outside of the managers.
- How have City improved defensively on set-pieces?
- With the recruitment of taller, stronger players and defensive strategies overseen by coach Carlos Vicens, City has transformed set-piece defending from a weakness into a major strength.
- Which team has the best set-piece defensive record?
- Brentford leads with a perfect record in defending set-pieces, followed closely by Manchester City, who have conceded just one such goal all season.
- Does City’s balanced approach make them superior to Arsenal?
- While Arsenal remains a major set-piece threat, City’s combination of effective attacking and superior set-piece defense gives them an edge overall.
